| Duration: | 4 Day(s) - 3 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Educational Tours |
Eastern Highlands: Educational Tour
The Eastern Highlands form Zimbabwe's eastern border with Mozambique and comprise three main mountain groups - Nyanga (to the north), which contains Zimbabwe's highest mountain, Mount Nyangani, Africa's second-highest waterfall, Mutarazi Falls, and the Honde Valley which leads into Mozambique; the Vumba Mountains (centrally situated near the city of Mutare); and Chimanimani (to the south).
These regions are all sparsely populated, highland countries and are rich in grasslands and forests. The Highlands have a cooler, wetter climate than other parts of Africa with higher rainfall, heavy mists, and dew as moisture moves inland from the Indian Ocean. Many streams and rivers originate in these mountains, which form the watershed between the Zambezi and the Save River systems.
DAY 1: TRAVEL TO EASTERN HIGHLANDS; NYANGA SIGHTSEEING
We will meet at the school, and travel east from Harare towards Zimbabwe's eastern highlands on a 270 km (from Harare) journey that will take you through some of Zimbabwe's most scenic countryside and smaller towns.
This afternoon, we visit the Ziwa ruins, in Juliasdale, Nyanga, which are popular and most impressive. In 1946, they have declared a National Monument and contain numerous ancient stone structures as well as pottery.
Overnight: Montclair Hotel & Casino or similar, Included: Lunch, Dinner, and Breakfast.
DAY 2: IN NYANGA, EASTERN HIGHLANDS; FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING
This morning, wake up early and prepare yourself. Enjoy your breakfast as you watch the sunrise over distant hills in Mozambique. You then take on the challenge for an incredible morning of activity as you take on the challenge of the undulating landscapes of eastern highlands. The mountain is composed of an upper sill of dolerite and sandstone, with the harder dolerite forming cliffs and ridges.
After lunch and a briefing, we will take off into the wilderness visiting the three rivers, which have their sources on Mt Nyangani: the Nyamuziwa River, the Kayirezi River, and the Pungwe River. The Nyamuziwa and Kayirezi rivers are tributaries of the Mazowe River, which is itself a tributary of the Zambezi River. Nyanga also accommodates the highest waterfalls in the country - the Mtarazi Falls, which are about 760m high.
In Nyanga National Park, we will visit the Nyangwe (Mare) Dam, the trout hatchery, Nyangwe Fort, pit structures, Nyangombe Falls, and swimming pool and view Zimbabwe's highest mountain, Mt Nyangani (2592m). We will also vision some ancient ruins where there is a site museum, 11 km north of Nyanga.
OVERNIGHT: Montclair Hotel & Casino or similar, Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
DAY 3: IN EASTERN HIGHLANDS; DRIVE TO MUTARE - SIGHTSEEING
Breakfast will be served at the hotel, before meeting with your guide for a day's visit to other points of interest including the famous Mtarazi Falls, Pungwe, and Honde viewpoints, where the Pungwe and Honde Rivers are located.
After this sightseeing tour, we travel 87km to Mutare, the fourth largest city in Zimbabwe and the capital of Manica-land province. The temperatures in Mutare are surprisingly cool with an annual average of 19 degrees Celsius. This is due to the mountains that surround the city, which happens to be very lush and green, especially during the wet season from December to February.
On arrival, we will stop at the Christmas Pass, which can offer a fantastic view of the city. In the afternoon we start with a sightseeing tour of Mutare Museum, which contains more than 500 species of birdlife as well as various flora and fauna native to the Manicaland province. It also has an interesting collection of native antiques, which include weapons and various firearms. This evening we will arrange a special South African braai (barbeque) at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Wise Owl Motel or Similar, Included: Dinner and breakfast in ( Standard Rooms)
DAY 4: EASTERN HIGHLANDS, TRAVEL FROM MUTARE TO SCHOOL
This morning enjoy breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast please ensure you have completed all check-out. Soon after, we travel 29 km from Mutare, passing through the dense; and steep green "mountains of the mist", clothed in indigenous Bunga forest, which lie southeast of Mutare.
There are fascinating cloud-effect, breath-taking views towards Mutare and into neighboring Mozambique, over coffee plantations and the Burma Valley and Chimanimani mountains. The 30-hectare gardens have a variety of indigenous and exotic plants - azaleas, fuchsias, and hydrangeas are abundant. The Bunga Forest woodland reserve.
After this sightseeing tour, you will travel to Harare where the ends on arrival at the school.
ACCOMMODATION
2 nights’ accommodation at Montclair Hotel and Casino or similar on a Lunch, dinner, bed, and breakfast basis
1 night's accommodation at Wise Owl Hotel or similar on a Lunch, dinner bed, and breakfast basis
TRANSPORTATION
Luxury Coach from your school to the Eastern Highlands on day 01, accompanied by an English-speaking guide
Half-day Juliasdale orientation tour on day 01, accompanied by an English-speaking guide
Full day touring with your luxury coach on day 02, accompanied by an English-speaking guide
Full day coach hire and sightseeing on the day on day 03, accompanied by an English-speaking guide
Full day coach hire on day and sightseeing on day 04, accompanied by an English-speaking guide
Travel from the Eastern Highlands to your school on day 04, accompanied by an English-speaking guide.
